Meet Our Team

I am Nereyda Cochran, and I have been teaching for eight years in Yuma School District One. I have taught second grade for the majority of my teaching career and am currently a third-grade English language arts teacher. I am a Yuma native and the daughter of Spanish-speaking migrant workers. I am a proud product of public education and honored to be joining a group of wonderful and innovative teachers at Dorothy Hall Elementary School. I can’t wait to begin! I will be teaching third grade for the 2019-2020 school year. I am looking forward to learning all about the AVID philosophy and strategies and implementing them in my classroom. I am excited to meet my new students and be challenged by their learning styles. I have a flexible and diverse teaching style. I believe in student collaboration and am striving to be an innovative teacher who believes ALL students are capable of success, NO EXCEPTIONS!

“Students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” - John C. Maxwell

Hi! My name is Morgan Lee, and I am excited to be joining the 3rd-grade team at Dorothy Hall. I am a born and raised Yuma. I received a dual major from Northern Arizona University in Elementary Education and Special Education. Before this adventure, I taught at Mary A. Otondo for 4 ½ years and then a virtual academy for one year. My goal is for all students to achieve success and I am looking forward to helping each one of them do that. 

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin

Hello, my name is Mariana Mireles and I am very happy to be joining the third grade team at Dorothy Hall. I was born in Mexicali and raised in San Luis Mexico and Yuma, Arizona. I am a graduate of Northern Arizona University with a Master's of Elementary Education along with a Structured English Immersion endorsement.

I completed my student teaching at Dorothy Hall, this school has a special place in my heart and I am ecstatic to be a part of it and; most importantly to make a difference in my student's lives. I strive to create a safe engaging learning environment where students thrive and succeed. All children are capable of success, no exceptions!

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." - Nelson Mandela

Hi, my name is Celia Venegas, and I am one member of our fantastic third grade team. I am a proud “Yuman” and product of Yuma School District One (Go Jaguars and Falcons!). Before I obtained a bachelor’s of science degree in special and elementary education from Northern Arizona University, I worked for 11 years as the education coordinator at the Boys and Girls Club of Yuma.

I have been privileged to be able to educate 3rd graders for what is now my 9th consecutive year. In my classroom, I strive to provide a learning environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and fun by integrating AVID strategies and learning through song. It is my goal to make every student’s confidence in their mathematical abilities grow, learn how math is valuable in their everyday lives, and ultimately love math!

When I am not teaching, you can find me at the softball fields watching my daughter or volunteering at community events with my Optimist Club. I look forward to meeting all of the wonderful third-grade scholars who walk into my classroom and impress on them that they are loved and capable of success, no exceptions!

“Every problem is an opportunity for a solution.” - Anonymous

Hello there! My name is Carla Brewer, and I am excited to be a part of Dorothy Hall Elementary school this year. I have a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University, and I am excited for my first group of Innovators. I am thrilled to be teaching fourth and fifth grade English and language arts (ELA) this school year. I am passionate about education, and I believe that every student deserves the best learning environment and experience while in school. Not only do I want my students to grow academically, but individually as well. There is so much for every student to accomplish, and I am dedicated to help any student do just that. Most importantly, I believe that all kids are capable of success! Hero up!

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” - Aristotle

Hi! My name is Paul Flores IV. I’ve had the pleasure of working with children for 17 years in both California and Arizona. I’m so excited to be teaching here at Dorothy Hall and working with all of you. I am a strong supporter of family, teacher, and school teamwork as I believe it is one of the keys to the children’s success. I can’t wait to get to know each child’s unique personality and interests so that I can bring in more resources that will intrigue their curiosity. I’m all about learning through hands-on, fun activities that challenge us to think critically, work collaboratively, and express ourselves beyond our limits. Let’s make this a year worth remembering!

Hi! My name is Shelby Lagunas! I am so excited to be a fourth grade teacher here at Dorothy Hall! I have obtained a bachelor's degree in both elementary education and special education from Northern Arizona University. I have worked with students ranging from kindergarten through fifth grade in both general education settings and resource settings. I am beyond thrilled to share my love of math with all my students while providing a welcoming environment that allows them to grow and learn! I believe that all kids are capable of success, no exceptions!

"Our job is not to prepare students for something. Our job is to help students prepare themselves for anything." - A.J Juliani

Hello Innovators! My name is Jonathan Bailey and I am so excited to be teaching at Dorothy Hall Elementary for the 2022–2023 school year. I have a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University and am pumped to be teaching fourth and fifth-grade science. Ever since third grade, I have wanted to be a teacher and make a difference in the lives of others. I wholeheartedly believe that all students have the potential to be great and do great things. I am AVID certified and will do my best to create lessons that are engaging and project-based. I have a passion for ensuring that each child knows that they matter and that their voices will be heard. While I know that academic learning is important, I also value teaching to the whole child. Every student is capable of success, no exceptions!

“Everyone you ever meet knows something you don’t.” - Bill Nye the Science Guy

Hello, my name is Claudia Gomez, and I am delighted to join Dorothy Hall Elementary this year. I have been teaching for seven years. I will be joining the fourth and fifth grade team as the PL teacher. My goal is to create a positive and engaging learning environment where each student can reach their full potential. I believe in fostering a love for learning while also challenging students to think critically and creatively. I believe that education is a team effort, and I look forward to working together with you and your families to make this year a success.

“A little progress each day adds up to big results.” - Satya Nani

Hello! My name is Priscilla Serna, and I am thrilled to begin my new journey at Dorothy Hall Elementary School! I have a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Grand Canyon University. I am very excited to teach 4th and 5th grade social studies. I can't wait to get started on this amazing school year we have ahead of us. My goal is to make an impact on my students and maintain a classroom environment where every child and visitor feels welcomed, safe, and excited to learn!

"You never fail until you stop trying."- Albert Einstein

Hi. My name is Jose Dorame, and I am excited to be a new addition to the Dorothy Hall team. I have been teaching in Yuma School District One for 20 years now. I graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor of fine arts in art education. I am excited to be the new art teacher and to foster the creativity within every child. I am a lifelong learner and wish to instill the importance of art education in everyone.

“I am still learning.” - Michelangelo

Hi, I am Amy Olson. I’m excited to teach general music at Dorothy Hall Elementary. I received my bachelor of music in music education from the University of Arizona in 2004. I have been a part of the Yuma Elementary School District One since 2013. I currently hold the position as principal bassoonist of the Yuma Civic Orchestra. I have been playing the bassoon for over 20 years. My goal is to instill a lifelong love of music in every child.

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” - Plato

Hello, I am Coach Tep and I am excited to be back on the Dorothy Hall team as the physical education teacher. I grew up in Bagdad, AZ but have been in Yuma for the last 22 years. I received my bachelor’s of science from the University of Arizona, Go Cats!! Over my 24 year teaching career, I have had the opportunity to work with students from kinder to college, adult learners as well as athletes. My goal is to foster an active learning environment where all my students feel safe and have fun. I want them to find ways to move that they enjoy so they will make being active and healthy a priority into their adult lives.

“Movement is the starting point for wiring the brain for learning.” -Gill Connell A Moving Child is a Learning Child